It’s interesting that nearly half a century after the end of the Vietnam War the debate over commemoration still seems to ignore the primary victims of the war: the civilian population of Vietnam. It is inevitable that the Pentagon would like to put a spin on the war that emphasizes the heroism and sacrifices of American soldiers. But the central, enduring moral horror of that conflict was that countless civilian noncombatants died as a direct result of our intervention. There are also many thousands in Vietnam today, including the victims of our use of the toxic defoliant Agent Orange, who continue to suffer.

Perhaps the best way to commemorate the war would be for our country to move to alleviate the horrors they and their families endure.

DAVID HAYDEN Wilton, Conn., Oct. 10, 2014

To the Editor:

There are two good ways to honor Vietnam veterans.

The first would be a commemoration-long apology for sending them into a hellish, unjustified war in the first place. Second would be to spare no expense in taking better care of veterans, including today’s, by giving the wounded, the spiritually damaged and the traumatized all the help they need so they can live decent lives as civilians.

VIRGINIA PASTOOR North Muskegon, Mich., Oct. 10, 2014

To the Editor:

It’s an axiom that history is written by the winners. But in this case, it appears, history is being rewritten by the losers.

RON BONN San Diego, Oct. 10, 2014

A version of this article appears in print on , on Page A24 of the New York edition with the headline: The Vietnam War Still Sets Off a Battle in America. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe